Federal funding boost saves Wayside Chapel

Fri Nov 13 14:00:00 EST 2009

Sydney's Wayside Chapel says it has been saved by a multi-million-dollar injection from the Federal Government.

The Uniting Church's centre near Kings Cross offers meals, counselling, education and advice on emergency housing to thousands of people a year, but nearly 40 per cent of the building has become unusable.

The Federal Government's decided to chip in $3 million dollars from its economic stimulus fund for an overhaul.

The pastor, the Reverend Graham Long, has told government ministers it is the most important day in the chapel's 45 years.

"Earlier this week I threatened that if the feds came good with $3 million we'd call this place saint Kev's," he said.

"I got myself in a bind. I don't know whether to give you a dollar back."

The funding adds to $2 million already pledged by the state government and at least $1.5 million in donations for a new four-storey building and a refurbishment.